Right... That was just a copy paste from what I Googled.
I am super excited that I our Second Language Acquisition (SLA) class we are being assigned to take up a foreign language class to put us in the position to better understand a person studying/acquiring second language. I chose Spanish and despite the notion that it is a popular class and the beginners level is full already, I was surprised to learn that I actually get the Level 1 (beginner) Spanish Class. I guess I was very lucky to be bad enough to apply on last minutes and perhaps some one drop out of class and left me with an open slot. hehehe... all in all... I am super excited what ever language that is.
Because it is an assignment from our SLA class, we are not going to be assessed on our language acquiring ability but by the journal we took on our process of language learning. So this section of Language Course Journal will be dedicated to that. This will be my online Journal... and you are all welcome on my journey in Spanish Class and Second Language Acquisition.
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Why Study Language? Why do you need second or third or fourth language? Why Spanish?
These are the 3 very general questions that I would like to answer in my first Second Language Learning Journal. The basic need of Human is to socialize. They way of doing this is through communication. One form of communication is through language, either spoken or written. Even as young as baby in the womb, we have begun with our communication with other human being. We marvel at the milestones of baby and toddler as they acquire language that will enable them to express their needs, fears and emotions which in turn allow us to understand them as human being as well. Language in one form or another is crucial to our lives basically to communicate with others. Animals have language even plants are said to have a coded 'language'. With all its importance and necessity, we know that through out our lives, we will continue to use, to learn and to acquire language in what ever form that might be.
Living in a world where media and social networks make the physical distance a thing of the past, meaning that we have this wide opportunities to connect with people outside our group, our country, that are different from us. Not just their culture or physical appearance but most importantly the language they use to communicate. While English is perceived as the International Language, but being able to speak in someone else's language is a plus point. When you learn language you are not only learning the grammar, vocabulary and such but a whole range of spectrum that a language brings. You learn and understand the culture, the wisdoms, the traditions and values that they uphold. Speaking more than one language not only make you a polyglot but I believe it should enable you to be tolerant and understanding with others.
Some people are blessed with growing up with 2 languages at home. My father was raised in Netherlands. He grew up with both Dutch and Indonesian language. He learns bits and pieces of French. He studied German for his Bachelor Degree. I grew up learning Indonesian Language. It was later when I was 7 years old that I began to learn English. My father was my first teacher. My 2 y/o daughter have already been introduced to English beside Indonesian language right from the time she began her process of acquiring language.
Three of us have our own motivations. They are shaped by the time we were living when we need to acquire new language. My father was born in Papua, Indonesia and he did learned Indonesian before their move to Netherlands. He needed to learn Dutch to be able to live and study in the Netherlands. He later learned German because that was a prospective career option for him. I learned English out of my curiosity and was later motivated by my father's talk that English is my 'passport' to travel the world. Now, why do I want my 2 y/o daughter to start learning English so soon? The reason is simple... one, She will be joining me in UK during my MA. Therefore, like her grandfather, she needs to acquire the language to be able to fully live in this foreign land. Secondly, English popularity and importance is growing in Indonesia. One of the guaranty that you will get a good paying job and position, or opportunity for further study is when you have Mastered the English Language.
Further more, I read these following on Internet when I type "Why Learning Spanish?"
"Research indicates that knowing and using two languages reduces your chances of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease. The scientists who studied this were motivated by earlier studies which showed that bilingualism enhances mental abilities in both children and older adults. Other studies show that studying languages can improve your memory and slow age-related decline in mental acuity. And studying another language makes you smarter! Your critical thinking skills will be improved as you learn to view things through a different lens. Learning a second language stimulates creativity!"
Why Spanish?
The choice for Spanish is simply because I have always wanted to learn Spanish. It's a growing trend to be able to speak Spanish nowadays in Indonesia. But more than that I chose Spanish because it's a language I have never been exposed to. I am feeling rather skeptical if I could even excel in this. Simply because I once failed French...
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